Chapter 57—Economy and Self-Denial
Economy in the outlay of means is an excellent branch of Christian
wisdom. This matter is not sufficiently considered by those who
occupy responsible positions in our institutions. Money is an excellent
gift of God. In the hands of His children it is food for the hungry,
drink for the thirsty, and raiment for the naked; it is a defense for
the oppressed and a means of health to the sick. Means should not
be needlessly or lavishly expended for the gratification of pride or
ambition.
In order to meet the real wants of the people, the stern motives
of religious principle must be a controlling power. When Christians
and worldlings are brought together, the Christian element is not to
assimilate with the unsanctified. The contrast between the two must be
kept sharp and positive. They are servants of two masters. One class
strive to keep the humble path of obedience to God’s requirements,—
the path of simplicity, meekness, and humility,—imitating the Pattern,
Christ Jesus. The other class are in every way the opposite of the
first. They are servants of the world, eager and ambitious to follow its
fashions in extravagant dress and in the gratification of appetite. This is
the field in which Christ has given those connected with the sanitarium
their appointed work. We are not to lessen the distance between us and
worldlings by coming to their standard, stepping down from the high
path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. But the charms
exhibited in the Christian’s life—the principles carried out in our daily
work, in holding appetite under the control of reason, maintaining
simplicity in dress, and engaging in holy conversation—will be a light
continually shining upon the pathway of those whose habits are false.
There are weak and vain ones who have no depth of mind or power
of principle, who are foolish enough to be influenced and corrupted
from the simplicity of the gospel by the devotees of fashion. If they see
that those who profess to be reformers are, as far as their circumstances
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will admit, indulging the appetite and dressing after the customs of the
world, the slaves of self-indulgence will become confirmed in their
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